SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A debate over the future of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich began with top lawmakers saying he should be impeached for betraying the public trust.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says Blagojevich has "forfeited his right to hold office." She noted that he hasn't given the people of Illinois an explanation for the criminal charges filed against him by federal prosecutors.

And Republican leader Tom Cross called the Blagojevich scandal "an embarrassment" that has made Illinois a national laughingstock.

He says lawmakers should be angry over what Blagojevich has done to state government.

It will take a simple majority vote to impeach Blagojevich. If he's impeached, Blagojevich would then face a trial in the Senate. If convicted there, he would be removed from office.